Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Margin Call: The Party's Over

Greed isn't good in this surprisingly thoughtful financial thriller. It's October, 2008, the night before the stock market dive. A young employee at a fictitious (Lehman Brothers like) company discovers that the financial markets are braced for the plunge.Who knew what when is uncovered during a sleepless night as the firm's higher ups, played by some of Hollywood's best actors, decide how to handle the looming disaster.Much is learned about the Wall Street culture and a cast of characters for whom money is everything. Interestingly, they believe everyone is as money hungry as they are. Doesn't everyone want a Mercedes and a house in the Hamptons? Not the Movie Slut. You won't find heroes or saints in this film. Just a bunch of people who are bankrupt in every way.Little sympathy is wasted on the "little" people who are about to lose their life savings. As one character put it, they gambled and they lost.You won't lose by seeing this flick.

About Me

My name is Barbara Nachman and I'm the Movie Slut. A tub of popcorn and a dark theater is all it takes to turn me on.
From "Shine" to "Scream," from "Psycho" to "Sicko," from "African Queen" to "Queen Blood," from "Butterfield 8" to "Eight-Legged Monsters," I celebrate them all.
My love of film began in high school when I'd sneak downstairs at night to watch "The Late Show" and "The Late Late Show."
Now, movies are a religion. The dark theater, the retreat from reality, and often a message to take home. My favorite flicks remind me to seize the moment, to never give up, and to always remember that "Tomorrow is another movie day."